Sooooo Mulan. It's not that I didn't want to do Mulan (she's fantastic so far as the Disney "princesses" go), but pinning down her time period stopped being fun and rapidly became a headache- you have the original legend taking place in the Wei Dynasty, the Huns as an actual threat during the Western Han Dynasty, the Forbidden City of the Ming Dynasty, the hanfu fashion setting it earlier AGHGHGhjffjhfghgjhkh

On that note, I'll be the first to admit that this piece isn't tying Mulan down to a particular period, rather putting her in plausible historical textiles and hanfu. When I was asking around for references most of the stuff sent my way were from Chinese period films or other modern recreations, so I just threw up my hands and decided to have fun with it.

It's based on Mulan's finale/epilogue costume at the end of the film; she never seemed at home in either the matchmaker costume or the armor, so this seemed like the best "Mulan has come into her own" middle ground.

Wow - you really nailed it! From what I know about traditional Chinese attire, the placement of the sash and waist skirt (the black thing on her hips and middle) is the big indicator of time period. It worked its way from waist level to over the breast then back down again. From what I've seen (I'm a museum/history junkie who lived in China for quite a while), the sash seemed to spend most of its time right were you put it. The one single and only criticism I could ever find is that the sash charm, if possible, was supposed to be tied under the waist skirt so only the charm and tassel could be seen. A clinking sash charm was a major faux pas back then. However, that would put this image totally out of balance and just wouldn't work.

Trying to pin her down to a single period is hard enough but finding a historically correct reference can be even harder. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY TOO LATE. But I know 衔泥小筑 is a store that make hanfu that are meant to look historically accurate. They have modern day clothes influenced by hanfu too but the bulk of their stuff is traditional hanfu and the hanfu influenced stuff is kept in its own category. So they're modern creations but meant to not look modern. Like all of their things have ties. No zippers or buttons or, heaven forbid, lace anywhere to be found. It's not the only one, but when I was shopping around to buy historically accurate hanfu this was the only one that was in my price range, haha...ha.

Speaking of which, the details of the Imperial City Palace in Mulan isn't exactly a 1:1 of the Forbidden City, so I've assumed at one point that it's a previously built Imperial palace fitting the actual setting of the film (if we're going with Han as the filmmakers did, it'd likely be Chang'an or Louyang). I can see where the confusion comes from, though; the palace facade resembles (but isn't completely like) the Forbidden City's Meridian Gate. The absence of stairs is one of the biggest key differences.

I love that she still has the jade necklace. like a small sign that she's feminine and not ashamed of it or anything, as too many people seem to mistake her for this masculine tomboy when she's really not (the whole part where she takes Shanyu's sword with a fan, a symbol of femininity, is a good sign of that!).

Yea, the legend of Hua Mulan has been told through many centuries of Chinas history. From what I've read the story had been told since before the Later Wei era of China, and no one really knows when the legend was first told or how long it had been told before that.

But I must say my favorite part of this piece is the gade ornament hanging from her hips. From what I've read online, Jade in Chinese Culture, represents human virtues due to its hardness, durability, and (moral) beauty. And I feel those represent Mulan her self very well.

I can imagine the headache you had in order to do this :S China's traditional fashion is sooo numerous! And it changes quickly depending on place and dynasty :SBut you delivered a very good redemption ^^ Gorgeous work!

Oh my God the love I'm feeling right now is insane. You actually get it, the pink matchmaker dress is her at her lowers point in the movie and she isn't entirely happy pretending to be someone else! One of my biggest gripes about how she is portrayed (especially by Disney...) is they tend to put her in that matchmaker dress. This is happy Mulan who has come into her own and learned to be proud of herself. Also you include her as a princess because she freaking is (not just by Disney's standards either...). Oh, and it's amazing artwork but hearing what you have to say about the periods and why you chose to use certain outfits from the film as the ones made historically accurate makes me appreciate it more.

While I do not agree with you on her being a princess, I'm completely with you on the matchmaker outfit.

It's meant to be symbolic, and not symbolizing anything positive, for this character. Unfortunately, marketing companies are too stupid to understand this, and proceed to use it as a means of cashing in. Thankfully, this isn't really being tolerated, anymore. Cases like the Merida Dress Incident are proof that people are calling bull, when they see it, and that they're being listened to.

First, I don't mean any of this to sound rude (I tend to say things really bluntly so don't be offended) but:

how is that stupid? putting her in the dress people will WANT TO BUY is being smart. and it's a gorgeous dress too. If I could afford one of the dolls I'd love one of her in her bride gown.

and the Merida thing was so dumb. proof grown adults are so bored and petty they'll make a petition about a harmless (and gorgeous) dress a Disney girl wears, and shows nobody gets the whole ending of Brave, where Merida is no longer against tradition but has compromised with her mom. the point of the franchise is to make money marketing to little girls what little girls like... which is dresses, crowds and sparkles. That's just common sense. Unfortunately, Disney didn't stop because people "called bull", it's because Disney is concerned with making money as I said, and if they think politically correct, screaming parents will no longer buy their sparkle-loving daughters the dolls, they'll fix it ASAP. This is embarrassing and shows how much our culture despises femininity.

and I think you both missed it- Mulan isn't unhappy in the matchmaker's gown. She was perfectly fine till the cricket screwed her up and THEN she felt bad because she blamed herself. it's her as Ping people mistake for Mulan, not for Mulan in the dress.

This is great considering the story originates with the Northern Wei and since they were nomadic Tuoba at one point you pinned down a great choice. I love the stylization of all the images blended with the historical accuracy! I hope to see more!

very nice choice for the middle ground option. i love the skirt, but the pattern on the top kind of throws me off.@_@ beautiful colors no double, but the bubbles. never put Mulan as a bubble person...maybe cherry blossoms? they did have significance in the movie, and in asian cultures..i do like the pendulum hanging from her sash though! a bit more jade and tassles! you can never go wrong with tassles!^^

I love the Mushu on the background, It actually looks and reminds me of Mulan, one of my favorite characters, by the way. I'm really glad I found your historical princesses, they're beautiful! I love looking at all the beautiful dresses and characters, I think you did a great job on all of them.

Love the reasoning for the choice of this dress. "She never seemed at home in either the matchmaker costume or the armor, so this seemed like the best 'Mulan has come into her own' middle ground." Fair enough! Still a wonderful dress for a wonderful character.

I love the historical accuracy of all of these and I'm so thrilled you've done this!

I decided to comment on Mulan because one, I'm Chinese -rolls around in asian-ness as well- and two why the hell not she's pretty.

"Ballad of Mulan" it was called and it was supposedly first written around the 6th century.

But there's a bunch of history I know about these characters more so than I know the dates. I can't remember dates to save my life. When's your birthday? ...uh..mom?

But anyways!

Your style is absolutely gorgeous and I stumbled upon your Cinderella video on YouTube ;w; Your colors and composition is wonderful and the positions of the characters is even accurate compared to the time and place of the setting! I'd go on about stupid little facts about this and that but I'm sure you either know it or don't care haha.

Thanks for letting me go on about this! Just really love historically accurate things that's all. Especially when they vary from culture to culture.

Please forgive me for the inquiry of clarification, but one part of the image threw me for a loop. Is she presenting the Hun Leader's sword ( traditionally known a a dao, or hard sword) or is that her father's jian ( a soft sword, otherwise known as a scholor's or nobleman's sword)? If it is the Dao, then it makes sense for the blade to be curved as it looks to me in the image. Otherwise, if it's her father's jian, the blade should be straight and double edged- kinda like a thinner version of a bastard sword. In either case, the handle looks a bit off as well for both types of weapon. Still, wonderful image. Breath taking use of complimentary colors and well placed usages of opposite color schemes to make the image pop to life. Your line work is exquisite as well, executed with precision and flow befitting one of well honed talent. Great job as well on the attention to detail.